Connie M Brooks

Memorial Mass for Connie M. Brooks will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. John's Catholic Church in Smithfield, Nebraska with Father Thomas Lux officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at the Moses Hill Cemetery in rural Phelps County, Nebraska.

Constance Mae "Connie" Brooks, 64 years of age, of Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away Saturday, September 19th 2015, at her home in Bertrand. Connie was born February 16, 1951 in Holdrege, Nebraska, the eldest of three children born to Harry and Phyllis (Fox) Gardine. She received her education from Bertrand Community School, graduating from Bertrand High School with the class of 1969. She then pursued her passion for cosmetology and established her own beauty and fitness salon.

On October 5, 1974, Connie was united in marriage to Paul M. Brooks at the Chapel at Johnson Lake, Nebraska. The couple was blessed with five children: Chad, Angela, Amy, Dustin, and Tabatha. Most of their married life they resided at Bertrand. Connie devoted her life to caring for her children and being a homemaker. She also worked with her mother, Phyllis at the Alley Cat Restaurant and Bowling Alley.

She was a member of the St. John's Catholic Church in Smithfield, where she an active member in the altar society. She loved her dogs, the outdoors, camping, and dancing with her husband and kids. Connie enjoyed traveling the world, visiting her family and friends. Spending time with her family was the most important thing in her life, a close second was shopping.

Connie was preceded in death by her father, Harry Gardine. She leaves to celebrate her life; her mother, Phyllis Maaske of Bertrand; her husband, Paul Brooks of Bertrand; her five children: Chad Brooks and his wife, Jenell and their two children: Taylor and Noah of Denver, Colorado; Angela Neill and her husband, Ross and their three children: Declan, Zoe, and Brogan of Dunn, North Carolina; Amy Furlong and her two children: Adyson and Jackson of Bertrand; Dustin Brooks and fiancé, Bernadette Gomez of San Antonio, Texas; and Tabatha Thorell and her husband, Tracy with their three children: Adrianna, Emilynn, and Omni of Loomis, Nebraska; two brothers: Mike Gardine and wife, Mary Jane and Steve Gardine all of Bertrand; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

A memorial book signing will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege. Rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

A memorial has been established in Connie's honor and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.